1. Mismatching Your Equipment To Surface Type
Using equipment or nozzles that aren’t right for the job is an easy mistake to make in garage power washing. The wrong choice can etch or chip Orlando’s concrete parking garage floors. For instance, a narrow-angle nozzle may concentrate too much pressure on a small area, causing damage, while a wide-nozzle might not provide enough force to remove stubborn stains, resulting in inefficient cleaning.
2. Skipping The Prep Steps
Failing To Remove Debris
If your parking garage is frequently busy and has uncovered spaces, you might need to take additional prep steps to remove loose debris that’s gathered in the corners. Things like stones, gravel, sand, and palm fronds from Orlando’s climate, require thorough removal before you can get to garage power washing. 
Ignoring Pre-Treatment
Don’t skip on pre-treating your garage’s surfaces with appropriate eco-friendly, industrial-strength degreasers and cleaners specifically formulated for stain types found in parking garages. Without these, you won’t be able to effectively break down and remove those oil stains, rust marks, or organic matter (mold and mildew).
3. Incorrect Wand Distance & Inconsistent Motions
Keep your wand at 6-12 inches from the surface and use a steady, sweeping motion. Get too close or linger too long and you’ll risk damaging the concrete. Too far, and you might as well be using a garden hose - an ineffective tool for parking garage cleaning.
4. Neglecting Safety Protocols
Inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Garage power washing involves high-pressure water streams that can pose significant risks such as eye injuries from flying debris, skin abrasions from the high-pressure water, and slips and falls on wet surfaces. So, you’ll want to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety goggles, gloves, and non-slip footwear.
Improper Water Runoff Management
In Orlando, environmental regulations are strict regarding water runoff and contamination, so you’ll need a plan to manage it. The last thing you want is to have slippery, hazardous conditions like pooling water, and unknowingly contaminating nearby water sources or storm drains.
5. Overlooking Post-Cleaning Steps
Always rinse and inspect your work when you’re done. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to miss a spot, or leave behind cleaning agent debris that causes future staining problems. You’ll also want to look for new damage from the cleaning process, and address it promptly.
6. Using Excessive Pressure
While more pressure seems like it’d equal better cleaning, this isn’t always the case. It can actually lead to concrete spalling (breakage, flakes or pitting), paint removal, or even damage to the expansion joints which concrete needs to expand and contract with temperature changes.
7. Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Power washing a garage shouldn’t be a one-time event. Regular parking garage cleaning is key to keeping your Orlando facility in top condition. An established routine will help you:
- Prevent buildup of tough stains that are a nightmare to remove later.
- Maintain the professional appearance of your parking garage.
- Extend the life of your parking garage surfaces for 20 years on average.
Don’t wait until your garage looks like an unkempt disaster zone - regular maintenance is the key to a clean, safe, and long-lasting parking facility.
